Tiny News Collective Membership/Founder Program

Application Process

Three-Part Application:

#### Part I: Eligibility & Founder Information

Covers eligibility criteria

Questions to understand applicant and their stage in organization creation process

Each founder submits individual answers

Completed by each founder with organization

#### Part II: Organization Vision & Business Planning

Explores thinking about who organization will serve

Addresses approach to business operations and news organization

One set of answers per organization (not duplicated by each founder)

Only one founder needs to submit answers

#### Part III: Demographics (Optional)

Optional demographic survey

Helps TNC assess and improve efforts

Each founder completes individually

All questions optional

Support Resources Available:

Application Worksheet:

Google Doc template with all application questions

Includes explanations of why each question is asked

Available in view-only mode; can make personal copy

Useful for planning responses and collaborating with co-founders

Ask Me Anything (AMA) Sessions:

Virtual sessions with TNC Membership Director

Discuss application process, technology stack, available services

Scheduled regularly

Registration via TNC newsletter

Workshop: #BuildTheNews Community Canvas

Thinking exercise exploring community information needs

Developed by Outlier Media

Helps answer application questions

Optional but recommended

Scheduled on ongoing basis

Workshop: #BuildTheNews Lean Business Plan Canvas

Helps think through business aspects of starting/growing organization

Designed to support application answers

Scheduled on ongoing basis

Application Checklist (Before Submitting):
1. Read the FAQ
2. Review all eligibility requirements
3. Complete the Readiness Series to prepare
4. If co-founders, collaborate to prepare application
5. Use application worksheet and explanations
6. Have application open and ready to complete
7. Understand commitment required to start news organization

Selection Process:

1. Initial Review: Team screens for required eligibility criteria
2. Anonymous Review:
- Each application assigned ID number
- Copy created with identifying and demographic information removed
- Co-founder applications connected
3. Panel Review: Minimum 2 reviewers per application packet
4. Interview Invitations: Within 1 month of application submission
5. Interviews: ~30 minutes with founders and at least 2 Selection Committee members
6. Final Decision: Selection Committee decides whether to proceed
7. Documentation Review: Invited founders review policies and documentation before deciding to join

Selection Committee:

Multiple TNC staff members

Rotating review committee with:

- TNC team members
- TNC board members
- TNC advisors
- External people (not from journalism background)
- Small newsroom founders

Timeline:

Applications reviewed on rolling basis

Founders invited to interview hear within 1 month of submission

Unexpected timeline changes communicated to all applicants

Important Notes:

Application designed to be useful even if founder doesn't join TNC

Thinking and planning for application helpful for starting news organization regardless

Support provided throughout process; not about determining if founder is "good enough"

Focus on ensuring TNC is right next step for applicant

Co-founders must coordinate to use same Organization Name format (Organization Name - City, State) across all individual applications for connection